Oversteering: Why It Happens and How to Manage It?

January 31st, 2017

Oversteering is when the back of your car loses grip on corners and travels much faster than its front, and, as a result, you cannot tuck into the corner. And although it happens oftener in computer games or speed racing than in a real life, ordinary car drivers must be aware of oversteering as well. According to the experts from the online shop tyres.ie, which sells all season tyres and wheel accessories, oversteer can have lots of reasons, not just bad rear tyre traction. It will be more likely in rear wheel drive cars. But can still happen in front wheel drive cars. So let’s see how it can be managed.

Improper tyres and other reasons for oversteer.

The first and obvious reason why oversteering happens is the insufficient traction of rear tyres. This issue can be solved by fitting seasonal tyres according to the weather conditions you are driving in. Opt for winter/mud tyres when driving in snow, ice, or sludge. Generally the tyres used in Ireland are all year tyres. But this is not always the case. Some second hand tyres may not be suitable.

Another reason hides in a low tyre pressure of the rear axle tyres. Ensure you keep your tyres inflated equally and to the pressure index specified by the vehicle’s manufacturer (you can find it on the driver’s door jamb).

What other reasons can provoke over-steering? Maybe you hurry to accelerate when out of corners or apply brakes too late. Ultimately, you need to drive at the correct speed for the car and the conditions.

How to deal with oversteering while cornering?

Regardless of the reason that caused oversteering, the driver must react immediately to prevent the car from spinning. To get the car back in the line, you need to do the trick called the ‘counter-steering’ or the ‘opposite lock’: quickly turn the wheel in the direction that is opposite to the road’s bend. Turn the steering wheel to the same angle as your car’s back stepped out. For example, if you are turning to the right and your rear tyres are travelling 30 degrees to the left, make the opposite lock (turn to the left) by 30 degrees.

The crucial point here is not to slam on the brakes in panic; otherwise, the oversteering effect will only increase. The best you can do is to let your car glide by removing your feet from both pedals until the car restores its balance by itself.